Karate
Karate-Do (the way of the empty hand) is originally an Okinawan martial art that utilizes strikes, kicks, blocks, deflections, joint locking, and throwing techniques for self-defense. Karate practicioners are known as karateka. Karate-Do is largely taught through three main practices: kihon (basics), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring). Kihon involves repetition of drills to correctly execute Karate techniques. Kihon are then put into patterns of movements called kata. Kata could be as short as several movements and as long as a hundred movements. Kumite develops one's spontaneity and timing. Through these three practices, the karateka not only learns physical skills but also benefits from improved self-confidence, calmness, concentration, and good health. Additionally, where striking or kicking is inappropriate, karateka also learn other ways of self-defense known as goshindo. Goshindo involves the use of joint locks, sweeps, throws, takedowns, and the use of pressure points.
Karate History Timeline from Shaolin to Okinawa*
500 AD – Indian Zen Buddhist monk, Bodhidharma, travels from India to the Shaolin Temple in China. Bodhidharma introduces 18 exercises to the Shaolin monks that would later develop into Shaolin kung fu (or chuan fa or wushu).
1392 – The Chinese settlement, Kumemura, is established on Okinawa leading to cultural exchanges between the Chinese and Okinawans. The Okinawans mix their native fighting art known as ‘de’ or ‘te’ or ‘tote’ or ‘tode’ with the Chinese arts.
1429 – King Sho Hashi unites Okinawa as the first king of the Ryukyu Kingdom and bans weapons from the civilian population.
1609 – The Shimazu clan (or Satsuma clan) of Japan takes over Okinawa and reinforces the ban on weapons.
1806 – Kanga “Tode” Sakugawa (1762-1843) begins teaching a fighting art in Shuri. His teachers are Takahara Peichin and Kusanku (Kwang Shang Fu).
1816 – Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura (1798?-1901?), a student of Sakugawa, is recruited into the service of the Okinawan King Sho Ko. He eventually becomes the chief martial arts instructor for the king’s bodyguards and begins travelling and studying Chinese martial arts. His fighting art becomes known as Shuri-te.
1881 – Kanryo Higaonna (Higashionna) (1853-1916) returns from China after years of instruction with Chinese martial artist Ryu Ryu Ko (Xie Zhongxiang) and founds what becomes known as Naha-te.
Kosaku Matsumora (1829-1898) taught what became eventually known as Tomari-te. Tomari-te merges into Shuri-te becoming difficult to distinguish from Shuri-te.
1901 – Yatsutsune Itosu (1831-1915), a student of Matsumura, introduces Karate to Okinawa’s public schools.
1921 – Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957), a student of Itosu and others, introduces Okinawan karate to mainland Japan.
1922 – Choki Motobu (1870-1944) was a student of Matsumura, Matsumora, and Itosu moves to Japan. At 52 years old, he publically beats a Russian boxer giving great publicity to Okinawan Karate. Due to a magazine mix up, Funakoshi is misidentified as the Okinawan who beat the Russian boxer
1930s – Karate becomes known as “empty hand” instead of “Chinese hand”. From Japan, Karate spreads to the rest of the world.
*Mark Bishop, Okinawan Karate, 2nd ed. (Tuttle, 1999); Richard Kim, Weaponless Warriors (Black Belt Communications, 1974)